S. 1523: Water Research Optimization Act of 2025

The Water Research Optimization Act of 2025 aims to enhance and modify the operations of the National Water Center, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically within the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather Service. Here are the key provisions of the bill:

Modification of the National Water Center

• The bill amends the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 to establish that the National Water Center will now lead federal water research transitions and model development related to water.
• It designates the National Water Center as the primary hub for water research, development, coordination, and collaboration among multiple federal agencies. This includes the Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• The Center will also focus on improving consistency across national and regional hydrological operations.

Integration of Advanced Water Resources Modeling

• The Under Secretary of NOAA is required to utilize advanced supercomputing systems, such as the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System, to support the development of improved modeling capabilities for water resources.
• These advanced water modeling capabilities will be incorporated into a unified forecast system, enhancing the capability to predict water-related events.

Collaboration with River Forecast Centers

The bill mandates the supervision and coordination of operations between the National Water Center and River Forecast Centers, ensuring that water predictions are managed effectively across different regions.

Management of Research Initiatives

• It establishes a framework for the administration and management of the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology. This Institute will work closely with the National Water Center to coordinate its activities.

Funding Period Extension

The legislation extends the funding authorization for certain related activities from fiscal year 2024 to cover fiscal years 2024 through 2028, allowing for sustained support of the initiatives outlined in this bill.

Relevant Companies

• DE (Deere & Company) - As a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery, Deere may be affected by changes in federal water management strategies that influence agriculture.
• XYL (Xylem Inc.) - A leading water technology company, Xylem is likely to engage more with federal research initiatives and may benefit from increased demand for innovative water solutions.